Indexable containers

ABSTRACT

A container formed from a blank of corrugated board where cuts between panels on a hinge axis (defined by hinging bridges preferably adjacent an indexing projection) reveal the flute ends and thereby provide stack support for the base of an indexing like container. The indexing walls of the container are slightly inwardly inclined and each corner of the container has a reinforcement (column form) provided by extensions of the panels.

[0001] The present invention relates to containers to be formed from alaminate which includes at least one corrugated core layer.

[0002] Containers in the form of erectable trays, cases or the like fromone or more piece blanks are known for use in the packaging of goods.Frequently such containers are formed from a single blank cut from asheet of a laminate which includes at least one corrugated core layerwhich defines a flute run direction. An example of such a material is apaperboard laminate which includes outer (usually kraft) paper linershaving interposed adhesively therebetween a corrugated medium also ofpaper. Such corrugated medium can be of one or more contiguous layers.

[0003] Other forms of such materials may include two separatedcorrugated layers (each of one or more sheets of paper). For example adouble cushion corrugated board is one having three substantially planarpaper sheets, each adjacent pair of sheets having interposedtherebetween a corrugated medium of one or more sheets of paper.Preferably such double cushion material has the flute run direction ofeach corrugated layer running parallel.

[0004] Such corrugated board materials with a flute run direction have astacking strength capability greater where the flutes run vertically asopposed to horizontally. Various forms of container have been evolved totake advantage of such directionality of the material. Some make gooduse of the material in this respect such as our DEFOR™ product range(see New Zealand Patent Specification No. 270912) or the P84™ productform of IberoAmericana. Others may make less effective use of suchdirectionality.

[0005] The present invention relates to an improved container of a kindwhere a blank of such a material is to be erected to a container formwhich is to have stack indexing capability. The present inventionrecognises an advantage to be derived from indexing one on top ofanother reliant on an underlying cut edge transverse to the flute rundirection. It is to deriving that advantage that the present inventionhas as an object.

[0006] In our New Zealand Patent Specification No. 270912 we disclose atray like product range erectable from a single piece blank which hasgiven rise to the DEFOR™ product range. The full content of thatspecification is here included by way of reference.

[0007] The present invention in one aspect is directed to tray orcontainer forms that are a variant of the aforementioned DEFOR™ productrange or which are capable of being offered as a potential replacementtherefor.

[0008] It is therefore another object of the present invention inrespect of some aspects of the invention to provide blanks andcontainers erectable from such blank having novel aspects overaforementioned tray or container forms.

[0009] In a first aspect the present invention consists in a containerformed from a blank, the blank itself having been cut (by any means)from a sheet of a laminate which includes at least one corrugated corelayer which defines a flute run direction, said container comprising orincluding

[0010] a rectangular or square base,

[0011] a flap sequence of two indexing wall flaps extending from each oftwo opposed sides of said base, the first indexing wall flap of eachflap sequence being connected to the base at a first fold line, thesecond indexing wall of each flap sequence being connected to itsassociated first indexing wall flap at least by a second fold lineparallel to its said first fold line, and each indexing wall flap ofeach flap sequence having an extension flap at each end thereof beyond afold line (or curvature commencement) extending substantially normal tosaid first and second fold lines, and

[0012] a non indexing wall flap extending from each of the other twosides of said base,

[0013] wherein said container has said second indexing wall flap of eachflap sequence inwardly of its associated first indexing wall flap andone or both of the flap extensions at each end of that flap sequence isdirectly affixed to a non indexing wall flap,

[0014] and wherein, above a transition between each associated first andsecond indexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there isdefined an indexing projection stack indexable, or a plurality ofindexing projections each stack indexable, by an identical containerreliant on a cutout, or cutouts, of the blank which, or each of which,in the erected container provides an accessible (or accessible) frombelow indexing opening or scallop, and wherein, an extension flap ofeach second indexing wall flap at least in part triangulates (in astraight, curved and/or other manner) a corner directly or indirectly(i.e. via the other extension flap) to the non indexing wall flap todefine in conjunction with part of said first indexing wall flap at thecorner and with part of the adjacent non-indexing wall (and optionallywith part of the flap extension of the first indexing wall) a columnlike vertical load supporting structure,

[0015] and wherein the or each indexing projection is flanked on eitherside in its indexing wall

[0016] (i) by a hinging transition which involves said at least secondfold line between a said first indexing wall flap and a second indexingwall flap, and

[0017] (ii) further from each hinging transition and the indexingprojection, there is upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps ofeach indexing wall load supporting cut edges of the laminate, such cutedges being transverse to the flute run direction and being above thelevel of the hinging transition (or transitions).

[0018] Preferably where there is more than one indexing wall projectionper indexing wall said load supporting cut edges are defined betweeneach projection and in part at or towards a triangulated corner.

[0019] Preferably a said cut edge(s) (is) are also defined in part foreach corner by one or two indexing wall flap extensions, (whether in thetriangulating flap or not).

[0020] Preferably each second indexing wall flap sits on a pre-crushedregion of the base.

[0021] Preferably a scallop is interposed between each said hingingtransition and a said cut edge pair.

[0022] In a further aspect the present invention consists in a containerformed from a blank, the blank itself having been cut (by any means)from a sheet of a laminate which includes at least one corrugated corelayer which defines a flute run direction, said container comprising orincluding

[0023] a rectangular or square base,

[0024] a flap sequence (“indexing wall flap sequence”) of two wall flaps(“indexing wall flaps”) extending from each of two opposed sides of saidbase, the first indexing wall flap of each indexing flap sequence beingconnected to the base at a first fold line, the second indexing wall ofeach indexing wall flap sequence being connected to its associated firstindexing wall flap by a second fold line parallel to its said first foldline, and each indexing wall flap of each flap sequence having anextension flap at each end thereof beyond a fold line (or curvaturecommencement) extending substantially normal to said first and secondfold lines, and

[0025] a wall flap (“non-indexing wall flap”) extending from each of theother two sides of said base,

[0026] wherein said container has said second indexing wall flap of eachindexing wall flap sequence inwardly of its associated first indexingwall flap and one or both of the flap extensions at each end of thatindexing wall flap sequence is directly affixed to a non indexing wallflap,

[0027] and wherein, above a transition between each associated first andsecond indexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there isdefined at least one indexing projection stack indexable, or each stackindexable, by an identical container reliant on a cut, or cuts, of theblank which in the erected container provide an accessible (oraccessible) from below opening(s) and/or scallop(s) for that purpose,

[0028] and wherein, an extension flap of each second indexing wall flapat least in part triangulates (in a straight, curved and/or othermanner) a corner directly or indirectly to the non indexing wall flap todefine in conjunction with part of said first indexing wall flap at thecorner and with part of the adjacent non-indexing wall (and optionallywith part of the flap extension of the first indexing wall) a columnlike vertical load supporting structure,

[0029] and wherein the or each indexing projection is flanked on atleast one side in its indexing wall by a hinging transition whichinvolves said second fold line between its first indexing wall flap andits second indexing wall flap

[0030] and wherein at least at about the level, or above, of suchhinging transition, there is an upwardly exposure of cut core layermaterial, such cut(s) being transverse to the flute run direction.

[0031] In a further aspect the present invention consists in a containerof a kind having one or more indexing projections each skirted in itswall by a hinge region and skirted there beyond in its wall by exposedcross cut flutes substantially as hereinafter described with referenceto any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

[0032] In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a blanksuitable for a container as aforesaid.

[0033] In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a blanksubstantially as hereinafter described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and4 of the accompanying drawings or any single indexing wall projectionvariant thereof.

[0034] In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in the useof blanks and/or containers in accordance with the present invention.

[0035] In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in a stackof stack indexed containers as previously defined.

[0036] Accordingly in another aspect the present invention consists in acontainer formed from a blank of a laminate having a corrugated fluterun direction, said container comprising or including:

[0037] a rectangular base having an opposed pair of longer sides and anopposed pair of shorter sides, said base (at least in part) including aplurality of openings,

[0038] a flap sequence of two indexing wall flaps extending from each ofthe sides of a pair of sides of said rectangular base, a first indexingwall flap of each flap sequence being connected to the base by a foldline, and the second indexing wall flap of each flap sequence beingconnected by a hinging transition to the first indexing wall flap, andeach indexing wall flap of each flap sequence having an extension flapbeyond a fold-line extending normal or substantially normal to saidfold-line of said first indexing wall flap with the base, and

[0039] a non-indexing wall flap extending from each of the other sidesof said base,

[0040] wherein, each indexing wall flap sequence has been folded todefine an upwardly directed indexing wall,

[0041] and wherein each wall flap of each indexing wall flap sequence ofa said indexing wall has, as the connection providing hinging transitionbetween the two wall flaps, at least one hinging transition above thelevel of which there is at least one indexing projection provided, oreach provided, by some of the blank material that projects from one wallflap of that sequence and then returns back to adhere to at least partof that and/or the other indexing wall flap of the same indexing wall,the or each projection being indexable by one of said plurality ofopenings (at last in part) of the base of another erected like containerin or when in a stacking relationship therewith,

[0042] and wherein the blank, by a cut between wall flaps of a flapsequence and transverse to the flute run direction, has provided a cutedge or edges of each wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence thatis or are above the level of the or each hinging transition of thatindexing wall.

[0043] Accordingly in another aspect the present invention consists in acontainer formed from a blank of a laminate having a corrugated fluterun direction, said container comprising or including:

[0044] a rectangular base having an opposed pair of longer sides and anopposed pair of shorter sides, said base including a plurality ofopenings,

[0045] a flap sequence (“indexing wall flap sequence”) of two wall flaps(“indexing wall flaps”) extending from each of the sides of a pair ofsides of said rectangular base, a first indexing wall flap of eachindexing flap sequence being connected to the base by a fold line, andthe second indexing wall flap of each indexing flap sequence beingconnected to the first flap, and each indexing wall flap of each flapsequence having an extension flap beyond a fold-line extending normal orsubstantially normal to said fold-line of said first indexing wall flapwith the base, and

[0046] a wall flap (“non-indexing wall flap”) extending from each of theother sides of said base,

[0047] wherein said container, when erected, has each indexing wall flapsequence folded to define an upwardly directed (preferably slightlyinwardly inclined) indexing wall, and, in the erected form, above atransition between each sequence of the first indexing wall flaps andsecond indexing wall flaps there is or are defined by the indexing wallat least one projection, the or each projection being indexable by oneof said plurality of openings of the base of another erected containerin a stacking configuration,

[0048] and wherein, the blank has been formed such that each wall flapof each indexing wall flap sequence has, as the transition therebetween,at least one hinging axis above which some of the blank materialprojects from one wall flap to hinge at the distal limit of theprojection and then be returned back to adhere to at least part of thewall structure,

[0049] and wherein there is at least one hinging zone at the transitionresulting from the non cutting fully of the blank material along thetransition such that there is defined at the top of each indexing wallboth (i) at least one exposed flute end cut regions for direct bearingthereof under a like container in a stacking condition and (ii) at leastone hinging link.

[0050] In some forms of the present invention each hinging transitionhas at least one hinging axis.

[0051] In some forms of the present invention the extensions from eachindexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence is disposed one oneither side of the adjacent non indexing wall flap (ie; sandwiches thesame). In some forms one of such extensions can triangulate, curve orotherwise truncate across the corner of the base thereby to define acolumn structure form.

[0052] In other preferred forms of the present invention both extensionflaps of each indexing wall flap sequence are fixed one to the otherinternally of the associated non indexing wall flap with one only of theextensions preferably directly being adhesively affixed to the nonindexing wall flap.

[0053] In such a construction there can if desired be a truncation ofthe corner to provide a column type feature by the more inwardly of thetwo flap extensions.

[0054] In other forms there may be no such truncation.

[0055] Preferably there are a plurality of projections on each indexingwall structure.

[0056] Preferably the indexing projection or projections is on thelonger pair of walls of the rectangular base.

[0057] In other forms there can be a single indexing projection on eachof the shorter pair of walls.

[0058] In still a further aspect the present invention consists in ablank suitable for forming a container as aforesaid or as hereinafterdescribed.

[0059] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the variousembodiments within the ambit of the present invention.

[0060] A preferred form of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which

[0061]FIG. 1 is one option for a blank in accordance with the presentinvention,

[0062]FIG. 2 shows an erected container of a kind having two indexingprojections on each indexing wall and a column like triangulated cornerstructure,

[0063]FIG. 3 shows by reference to a double cushion corrugated boardmaterial a corner of a container as shown in FIG. 2, the indexingprojection in such a variant being a pop-up single type projection asdepicted in FIG. 2 (of course other forms of indexing projection abovethe transition being capable of being provided such as those that bydoubling the projection back and re-attaching it in some way provide noexposure of the flutes at the top of the indexing projection).

[0064]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank of another embodiment of thepresent invention, such an embodiment being an adaption of the DEFOR™type container, and

[0065]FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Forms of the present invention will now be described as optionsof the present invention with reference to a double cushion paperboard.In the preferred form shown in the drawings the base 1 is rectangularand each longer side has two indexing projections on each indexing wall.

[0067] As can be seen from FIG. 1 fold lines “I-I” and “II-II” separatethe base 1 from each indexing wall flap sequence, with the firstindexing wall flap 3 being hinged by the fold line “I-I” from the longerside of the rectangular base 1 and with the more outwardly in the blanksecond indexing wall flap 4 hinged by a fold line “II-II” from the flap3.

[0068] As can be seen separating each of the flaps 3 and 4 are cuts 10which leaves hinging regions 12 skirting on either side of the cuts 8which provide the indexing pop-up projection 1 1. As can be seen moreoutwardly of each hinging region 12 is an exposed cut face provided by(in the preferred form) both of the flaps 3 and 4, ie; see 13, 14, 15and 16.

[0069] It can bee seen that cutouts 9 are provided for indexing purposesat or adjacent or both the fold lines I-I so as to index receive aprojection 11 in each instance of a like container.

[0070] The non indexing wall flaps 2 are hinged on the broken line by afold line 17 from the base 1 and this up folded flap 2 is to haveadhesively affixed thereto first the flap extension 5 of the firstindexing wall flap 3 and thereon the part 6 of the flap extension of thesecond indexing wall flap 4. The fold lines shown in the blank leave atriangulating (preferably straight) region 7 which triangulates thecorner to provide the column like form depicted in the figures.

[0071] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that if desired theflap 5 could be adhesively affixed outwardly of the flap 2 and the flapextension 6 instead be glued directly on to the up folded non indexingwall flap 2 such as, for example, in the DEFOR™ case of Carter HoltHarvey Limited.

[0072] In the preferred form of the present invention the base 1 ispreferably pre-crushed in those regions that are to overlie an exposedflute cut edge 13, 14, 15 and 16 and preferably also 17 and 18. Indeedsuch pre-crushing prior to carton erection will assist in clearance forthe flaps during the assembly stage.

[0073] As can be seen the present invention enables a single level forthe transversely cut material to be presented by regions 13, 14, 15, 16,17 and 18 and such a level is at least at if not above the level (atleast after any crushing) of the hinging regions 12.

[0074] As mentioned earlier the pop up type indexing projection whichextends above the transition between the first and second indexing wallflaps in the erected container could alternatively be a different formsuch as that utilised by a number of companies where an even greater cutout has part thereof folded back and adhesively or otherwise reattachedto some part of the indexing wall.

[0075] Persons also skilled in the art will appreciate that scallops orthe like 19 can be provided between the hinging regions 12 and theoutwardly flanking cuts 10 that provide the support regions 13, 14, 15and 16. Such scallops for convenience are not shown in FIG. 1 other thanin broken outline as they are optional.

[0076] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 there is a substantiallyrectangular base 19 having two wall flap sequences 20. There is anindexing wall flap 21 and an indexing wall flap 22 and cuts from oneinto the other to define a lug forming projection 23 which will hinge at24 with the distal region 25 being down turned to adhere inwardly of theindexing wall (when formed) against the reverse side of the member 22and/or the revealed face of the member 21.

[0077] Each member 21 and 22 has extensions 26 and 27 respectively.Extension 26 is adapted to lie outwardly of the non indexing wall flap28 when it is erect whilst the extension 27 with its fold lines 29 isadapted to truncate the interior (as in the DEFOR™ container) with theregion 30 itself only being affixed inwardly to the member 28.

[0078] Equally within the scope of the present invention however arevariants of the arrangement of FIG. 1 where both members 26 and 27 areaffixed inwardly of the non indexing wall flap 28 with the member 26directly adhered thereto and the portion 27 of the extension 30 affixedthereto so as still to provide a column like structure which truncatesthe corner.

[0079] In the erected condition openings 31 accommodate the appropriateprojections thus formed.

[0080] In the arrangement as shown the cross hatching shows regions ofpre-crushing of the preferred corrugated board medium, eg; a paperboardliner, at least one corrugated core to provide the flute run directionand a further liner. There can be multiple players of corrugated mediuminterposed if necessary by further sheets of appropriate material. Inthe preferred form of the present invention the flute run direction isin the arrowed direction (likewise in FIG. 5).

[0081] An aspect of the present invention is the full cutting at regions32 but the allowing of bridges 33 on the transition zone to provide thehinging links. Obviously these transitions 33 need not be directlyagainst each projection being formed and indeed can be spaced therefrom,ie; there can be cuts right to the projections from a remote bridging ofthe flaps.

[0082] An advantage of the arrangement however is that cut flute exposededges of each of members 21 and 22 provide a region which withoutpre-crushing is ready to directly to bear weight in an indexed stackedcondition.

[0083]FIG. 5 shows an alternative where, just as an example, theindexing lugs are provided at the lesser ends and no provision is madefor truncating of the corners. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate however the provision of the indexing lugs and correspondingopenings on either the greater or lesser sides of the rectangular basedoes not dictate the form that must be used. Indeed, especially with theend indexing forms, even one projection only may suffice per indexingwall.

[0084] With the arrangement as shown in FIG. 5 there is preferably stillangling inwardly slightly as with the indexing wall flap sequence 20 ofthe embodiment of FIG. 4, but not necessarily so. With the arrangementas shown in FIG. 5 the extensions 34 and 35 respectively are adapted tobe affixed inwardly of the non indexing wall flaps 36 and not totruncate the corner. Flap 35 affixes to flap 34 which is directlyaffixed to the non indexing wall flap 36 which, as shown, includes alidding flap 37.

[0085] Any lidding flap is of course an optional feature of any variantof the present invention.

[0086] In the arrangement as shown in FIG. 5, the cut regions 38 whichcorrespond to cut regions 32 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 leaves bridgingregions 39 which are the equivalent of the bridging regions 33.

[0087] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how such positioningcould instead be utilised with the embodiment of FIG. 4. Againpre-crushing is shown as shaded and preferably the indexing wall (thistime the end wall) when erected is slightly inwardly inclined. Again theexposed flute cuts 38 provide for a direct load bearing on a pre-crushedbase region.

[0088] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate how the presentinvention offers alternatives to existing forms.

1. A container formed from a blank, the blank itself having been cut (byany means) from a sheet of a laminate which includes at least onecorrugated core layer which defines a flute run direction, saidcontainer comprising or including a rectangular or square base, a flapsequence of two indexing wall flaps extending from each of two opposedsides of said base, the first indexing wall flap of each flap sequencebeing connected to the base at a first fold line, the second indexingwall of each flap sequence being connected to its associated firstindexing wall flap at least by a second fold line parallel to its saidfirst fold line, and each indexing wall flap of each flap sequencehaving an extension flap at each end thereof beyond a fold line (orcurvature commencement) extending substantially normal to said first andsecond fold lines, and a non indexing wall flap extending from each ofthe other two sides of said base, wherein said container has said secondindexing wall flap of each flap sequence inwardly of its associatedfirst indexing wall flap and one or both of the flap extensions at eachend of that flap sequence is directly affixed to a non indexing wallflap, and wherein, above a transition between each associated first andsecond indexing wall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there isdefined an indexing projection stack indexable, or a plurality ofindexing projections each stack indexable, by an identical containerreliant on a cutout, or cutouts, of the blank which, or each of which,in the erected container provides an accessible (or accessible) frombelow indexing opening or scallop, and wherein, an extension flap ofeach second indexing wall flap at least in part triangulates (in astraight, curved and/or other manner) a corner directly or indirectly(i.e via the other extension flap) to the non indexing wall flap todefine in conjunction with part of said first indexing wall flap at thecorner and with part of the adjacent non-indexing wall (and optionallywith part of the flap extension of the first indexing wall) a columnlike vertical load supporting structure, and wherein the or eachindexing projection is flanked on either side in its indexing wall (i)by a hinging transition which involves said at least second fold linebetween a said first indexing wall flap and a second indexing wall flap,and (ii) further from each hinging transition and the indexingprojection, there is upwardly exposed by both indexing wall flaps ofeach indexing wall load supporting cut edges of the laminate, such cutedges being transverse to the flute run direction and being above thelevel of the hinging transition (or transitions).
 2. A container asclaimed in claim 1 wherein there is more than one indexing wallprojection per indexing wall.
 3. A container of claim 2 wherein saidload supporting cut edges are defined between each projection and inpart at or towards a triangulated corner.
 4. A container as claimed inclaim 2 wherein said cut edges are also defined in part for each cornerby one or two indexing wall flap extensions, (whether in thetriangulating flap or not).
 5. A container as claimed in claim 1 whereineach second indexing wall flap sits on a pre-crushed region of the base.6. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a scallop is interposedbetween each said hinging transition and a said cut edge pair. 7.(cancelled).
 8. A blank suitable for a container of claim 1 9.(cancelled).
 10. A container formed from a blank of a laminate having acorrugated flute run direction, said container comprising or including:a rectangular base having an opposed pair of longer sides and an opposedpair of shorter sides, said base (at least in part) including aplurality of openings, a flap sequence of two indexing wall flapsextending from each of the sides of a pair of sides of said rectangularbase, a first indexing wall flap of each flap sequence being connectedto the base by a fold line, and the second indexing wall flap of eachflap sequence being connected by a hinging transition to the firstindexing wall flap, and each indexing wall flap of each flap sequencehaving an extension flap beyond a fold-line extending normal orsubstantially normal to said fold-line of said first indexing wall flapwith the base, and a non-indexing wall flap extending from each of theother sides of said base, wherein, each indexing wall flap sequence hasbeen folded to define an upwardly directed indexing wall, and whereineach wall flap of each indexing wall flap sequence of a said indexingwall has, as the connection providing hinging transition between the twowall flaps, at least one hinging transition above the level of whichthere is at least one indexing projection provided, or each provided, bysome of the blank material that projects from one wall flap of thatsequence and then returns back to adhere to at least part of that and/orthe other indexing wall flap of the same indexing wall, the or eachprojection being indexable by one of said plurality of openings (atleast in part) of the base of another erected like container in or whenin a stacking relationship therewith, and wherein the blank, by a cutbetween wall flaps of a flap sequence and transverse to the flute rundirection, has provided a cut edge or edges of each wall flap of anindexing wall flap sequence that is or are above the level of the oreach hinging transition of that indexing wall.
 11. A container of claim10 wherein each hinging transition has at least one hinging axis.
 12. Acontainer of claim 10 wherein the extensions from each indexing wallflap of an indexing wall flap sequence is disposed one on either side ofthe adjacent non indexing wall flap (ie; sandwiches the same).
 13. Acontainer of claim 10 wherein at least one of said extensionstriangulates, curves or otherwise truncates across the corner of thebase thereby to define a column structure form.
 14. A container of claim10 wherein both extension flaps of each indexing wall flap sequence arefixed one to the other internally of the associated non indexing wallflap with one only of the extensions directly being adhesively affixedto the non indexing wall flap.
 15. A container of claim 10 wherein thereare a plurality of projections on each indexing wall structure.
 16. Acontainer of claim 15 wherein the indexing projection or projections ison the longer pair of walls of the rectangular base.
 17. A container ofclaim 10 wherein there is a single indexing projection on each theshorter pair of walls.
 18. A blank suitable for forming a container asclaimed in claim 10
 19. A stack of stack indexed containers each beingas claimed in claim 1
 20. A container formed from a blank, the blankitself having been cut (by any means) from a sheet of a laminate whichincludes at least one corrugated core layer which defines a flute rundirection, said container comprising or including a rectangular orsquare base, a flap sequence (“indexing wall flap sequence”) of two wallflaps (“indexing wall flaps”) extending from each of two opposed sidesof said base, the first indexing wall flap of each indexing flapsequence being connected to the base at a first fold line, the secondindexing wall of each indexing wall flap sequence being connected to itsassociated first indexing wall flap by a second fold line parallel toits said first fold line, and each indexing wall flap of each flapsequence having an extension flap at each end thereof beyond a fold line(or curvature commencement) extending substantially normal to said firstand second fold lines, and a wall flap (“non-indexing wall flap”)extending from each of the other two sides of said base, wherein saidcontainer has said second indexing wall flap of each indexing wall flapsequence inwardly of its associated first indexing wall flap and one orboth of the flap extensions at each end of that indexing wall flapsequence is directly affixed to a non indexing wall flap, and wherein,above a transition between each associated first and second indexingwall flap of an indexing wall flap sequence there is defined at leastone indexing projection stack indexable, or each stack indexable, by anidentical container reliant on a cut, or cuts, of the blank which in theerected container provide an accessible (or accessible) from belowopening(s) and/or scallop(s) for that purpose, and wherein, an extensionflap of each second indexing wall flap at least in part triangulates (ina straight, curved and/or other manner) a corner directly or indirectlyto the non indexing wall flap to define in conjunction with part of saidfirst indexing wall flap at the corner and with part of the adjacentnon-indexing wall (and optionally with part of the flap extension of thefirst indexing wall) a column like vertical load supporting structure,and wherein the or each indexing projection is flanked on at least oneside in its indexing wall by a hinging transition which involves saidsecond fold line between its first indexing wall flap and its secondindexing wall flap, and wherein at least at about the level, or above,of such hinging transition, there is an upwardly exposure of cut corelayer material such cut(s) being transverse to the flute run direction.21. A container formed from a blank of a laminate having a corrugatedflute run direction, said container comprising or including: arectangular base having an opposed pair of longer sides and an opposedpair of shorter sides, said base including a plurality of openings, aflap sequence (“indexing wall flap sequence”) of two wall flaps(“indexing wall flaps”) extending from each of the sides of a pair ofsides of said rectangular base, a first indexing wall flap of eachindexing flap sequence being connected to the base by a fold line, andthe second indexing wall flap of each indexing flap sequence beingconnected to the first flap, and each indexing wall flap of each flapsequence having an extension flap beyond a fold-line extending normal orsubstantially normal to said fold-line of said first indexing wall flapwith the base, and a wall flap (“non-indexing wall flap”) extending fromeach of the other sides of said base, wherein said container, whenerected, has each indexing wall flap sequence folded to define anupwardly directed (preferably slightly inwardly inclined) indexing wall,and, in the erected form, above a transition between each sequence ofthe first indexing wall flaps and second indexing wall flaps there is orare defined by the indexing wall at least one projection, the or eachprojection being indexable by one of said plurality of openings of thebase of another erected container in a stacking configuration, andwherein, the blank has been formed such that each wall flap of eachindexing wall flap sequence has, as the transition therebetween, atleast one hinging axis above which some of the blank material projectsfrom one wall flap, and wherein there is at least one hinging zone atthe transition resulting from the non cutting fully of the blankmaterial along the transition such that there is defined at the top ofeach indexing wall both (i) at least one exposed flute end cut regionfor direct bearing under a like container in a stacking condition and(ii) at least one hinging link.
 22. A container of claim 2 wherein thenon cutting fully of the blank material is a mixture of full cuttingalong certain parts of the transition to leave some linking or bridgingregions uncut (irrespective of whether or not, to assist the hingingfunction, there is any cutting normally to the transition to betterrender flexible for hinging purposes the linking or bridging region).